Chapter 180 A Journey for Two

The fact that Lu Yinzhao's work won first prize could not be kept secret.

When he asked the school for leave, he told the truth. At first, only the teachers knew, but later even his classmates in the same major found out.

Later, the news even spread to other majors and to the upperclassmen.

"Lu Yinzhao! Lu Yinzhao! Quick, give me an autograph! I have a feeling you'll be a photography master someday, I'm going to get it first!" A male classmate excitedly squeezed into the crowd.

At this moment, Lu Yinzhao was surrounded by layers upon layers of people, making it virtually impossible for him to get through.

"What are you doing? Get in line! Lu Yinzhao already agreed to it!" Another tall, thin guy pushed the boy who had squeezed in aside.

Lu Yinzhao had no idea why things had turned out this way.

He only told his counselor about this.

"How...how did you all know...?"

"Xiao Lu, don't you know yet? Your award has been reported in the news. I opened Xiao Cheng Shu yesterday and just casually scrolled through and saw the video of you receiving the award."

"Yes, Lu Yinzhao, you've really brought honor to our school's photography department!"

“Lu Yinzhao, I also signed up for this competition, but I didn’t even get an award of excellence.”

The student who signed up for the competition said dejectedly.

Comparing yourself to others will only make you miserable!

"My best friend isn't from our school. This morning she showed me the photo of you winning an award and asked if the boy in the photo was from our school. I told her he was from our class, hahaha..." the girl at the front said with a grin.

"Lu Yinzhao, you're famous now! Can I take a picture with you?"

Everyone was talking at once, and Lu Yinzhao's head was buzzing from the noise.

One piece of information he learned from these people was that his award-winning story was now widely circulated online.

This feeling seems somewhat familiar?

The last time someone told him "you're famous" was when he was three years old.

Fortunately, nobody remembers "Zhao Zhao" who was popular for a while back then.

It wasn't until class started that the students who had been surrounding him reluctantly dispersed.

In his professional course, the teacher praised him by name and encouraged other students to learn from him.

Lu Yinzhao blushed at the praise and just wanted to stay in her seat and pretend to be a mushroom.

However, there is one thing he does not deny.

His achievements today are the result of his hard work and accumulation of knowledge bit by bit.

The award he has received so far is just the starting point of his career and is far from meeting his expectations. The road ahead will be increasingly difficult.

After finishing his morning classes, Lu Yinzhao went to the cafeteria for lunch, and people smiled at him along the way.

These were people he didn't know at all.

He sighed inwardly, thinking that being a celebrity really wasn't easy.

Having to be the center of attention at all times requires a very strong mental fortitude.

I ran into Song Shuye in the cafeteria while I was eating.

He took his tray and plopped down opposite Lu Yinzhao.

Just as Lu Yinzhao was about to speak, Song Shuye interrupted, "You don't need to say anything more. I understand, I understand. It feels great to become famous overnight, doesn't it?"

"..."

"Including myself, as your roommate, I also benefited from your fame and your popularity. Do you know how many people came to ask me for your contact information this morning? That was even more intense than during your military training!"

After finishing speaking, Song Shuye took a big gulp of the soda on the table.

Then he continued rambling: "A brother of mine, who goes to the school next door, said that a lot of people at his school know you and have been asking me about you."

"Inquiring about me...what?" Lu Yinzhao's expression was subtle.

“They ask all sorts of questions,” Song Shuye said, counting on his fingers. “They ask if you have a girlfriend, if you have a boyfriend, if you’re a local, where you live, how many people are in your family, what your hobbies are…”

Lu Yinzhao was dumbfounded. Was this some kind of household registration check?

"In short, they're curious about everything about you. Who told you to be so handsome and outstanding? The latest freshman heartthrob section on the school forum has been updated with your photo. But in my heart, you're more than just a freshman heartthrob; my brother is the best in the whole school!" Song Shuye spread his hands honestly.

"I'm not used to it," Lu Yinzhao blurted out.

“It’s normal to feel uncomfortable. Even when my classmates treated me well today, I looked flattered. They’re just extending their affection to me because of their love for me,” Song Shuye said with a smile, shaking his head.

Lu Yinzhao was speechless, looking at Song Shuye, who clearly had a satisfied expression on his face.

He sighed silently to himself.

It seems I'll need to always carry a mask when I go out from now on.

...

In the following period, while balancing his studies and work, Lu Yinzhao was also busy preparing for the works that Voss invited him to participate in the themed exhibition.

At the same time, Bian Ji's first endorsement advertisement was released online.

Previously, Bian Ji's fans were speculating about what product he would endorse for the first time, and what products they would buy for Bian Ji.

However, to everyone's surprise, Bian Ji became the spokesperson for a long-established foreign piano brand, Vogelklang.

Vogelklin is a piano brand that every pianist knows.

With its excellent sound quality and hefty price tag, no one wouldn't want to own it.

Unfortunately, Bian Ji became the spokesperson for this classic old guy, and they couldn't afford it even if they sold everything they owned!

Even so, it doesn't stop them from admiring the screen.

Clicking into the advertisement video, the opening scene is a slow-motion shot of the sandalwood body of a piano.

Long, slender fingertips trace the metal plaque engraved with the brand's year, and a sense of time unfolds with the lens.

The camera then cuts to Bian Ji, a man in a simple black suit standing in front of a piano. The moment his fingers fall, close-ups of the hammer striking the strings and the movement of his Adam's apple alternate.

The film uses montage to depict a boy playing Bian Ji as a teenager, overlapping his image of practicing the piano in front of an old piano with his image under the spotlight today.

The light reflected from the piano keys shone into his focused eyes, and his fingertips, which moved with the melody, were glistening with a thin layer of sweat.

At the end, Bian Ji presses the last key on the piano, and as the lingering sound echoes, the camera gradually pulls back.

Finally, the image settles on the brand slogan "A Century of Heritage, A New Era of Resonance," with the luster of the piano nameplate echoing the piano pendant on Bian Ji's chest.

I can only say two words: elegant! Absolutely elegant!

[Brother Ji either doesn't accept endorsements at all, or when he does, it's a huge one. His piano playing is smoother than chocolate.]

[As expected of Vogelklin, the person in charge of this brand has an excellent eye; choosing Bianji was the perfect choice.]

[I was worried that Ling Guanren would give Bian Ji random endorsements, but now I have to apologize. The manager really cares about Bian Ji; the quality of this endorsement is undeniable.]

[Bian Ji's first endorsement is a globally recognized title from a long-established piano brand, which is incredibly prestigious and represents a truly high starting point in his business career.]

[Thanks to the agent for not letting Bian Ji take on the old-fashioned, traffic-driven advertising approach. Bian Ji's focused demeanor while playing the piano perfectly matches the brand's sense of depth, showcasing only the charm of music itself.]

[This endorsement deal is a great one. This collaboration is a win-win situation for both the brand's rejuvenation and the artist's high-end image. Bian Ji's future looks promising, and following him is definitely worthwhile!]

[So handsome! Brands, please release the behind-the-scenes footage of my brother Ji filming the ad!]

"So you were filming this commercial before!"

Lu Yinzhao sat at the dining table, with plates of exquisite dishes prepared by Bian Ji in front of him. It was a rare occasion for the two of them to be able to get together today.

He was holding his phone, scrolling through the ad video.

“Vogelklin is indeed the piano brand I’ve used since I was a child. I used it when I was abroad. After I became a brand ambassador, the brand also sent one to my studio.”

At this moment, Bian Ji slowly began to recount some of the details from that time, and he was quite satisfied with his first endorsement deal.

"Brother Ling is really amazing. He's found jobs that are perfect for you. With such a high starting point, I guess your next step will be to target the luxury goods industry, right?" Lu Yinzhao said after taking a bite of food.

“That’s something he needs to arrange. I believe he will plan my business strategy well.” Bian Ji picked up the bowl and ladled out a bowl of soup.

"Will you participate in variety shows again? I see that many people online hope you'll get more exposure," Lu Yinzhao asked curiously.

"My agent is currently in talks for a music talent show."

"Huh? A talent show?"

Bian Ji added, "He's going to be a music tutor."

Lu Yinzhao suddenly realized, "That makes sense. Bian Ji is so amazing. His musical literacy and skills are top-notch. He would be a perfect mentor."

"Say yes! I want to see!" Lu Yinzhao looked at Bian Ji excitedly, her eyes shining.

"It depends. I'll probably go once my agent has finalized the deal with them."

"Then I'll wait and see how Teacher Bian Ji comments on the students on the screen!" Lu Yinzhao's face was full of anticipation.

"I'm also waiting for your themed exhibition to be known by art lovers all over the world." Bian Ji smiled slightly, her eyes filled with pride for her son.

“I will definitely work hard! I’ve already prepared half of my work. Mr. Worth’s photography exhibition is scheduled to open around the summer, so I still have time to polish my work,” Lu Yinzhao said.

He had already sent a lot of footage that he considered to be unusable to Worth this month. Worth was indeed quite skilled, and sometimes his suggestions and inspirations were truly enlightening for Lu Yinzhao.

This made Lu Yinzhao feel that collaborating with Worth was the right choice, and he could learn a lot from the curator.

"Keep it up, I know you're very serious, but..." Bian Ji suddenly softened his tone, "Don't overwork yourself, especially don't make yourself sick."

If Lu Yinzhao were to get a fever of 40 degrees Celsius again, he would feel even more heartbroken.

"Okay, brother, I'll take good care of myself. You too, you work harder than me, so remember to protect your voice," Lu Yinzhao said with concern.

After finishing their meal, the two simply nestled together on the sofa.

After a brief day of tenderness, they each embarked on new journeys.

...

Time flies.

The next semester's classes are over, and summer vacation is here in the blink of an eye.

Lu Yinzhao took his work by plane to Country F. This time, Bian Ji was not with him.

Voss had already made all the arrangements beforehand, and even came to greet Lu Yinzhao when he got off the plane.

"My dear Lu, my friend! We meet again!"

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Author's Note: Zhao Zhao: What? I'm famous again? [Peeking while covering face]